Ah, the first signs of spring! We turned our clocks back, packed away our winter coats, and maybe even let the cat chase around the robins that appeared in the backyard. For many, the first signs of spring also signal time to put the house on the market. Unfortunately this year, many sellers are thinking twice.

But I'm here to show you how much of this media madness is completely unwarranted. So if you need to sell your home this spring, go ahead and tidy up the front yard and hang that sign. All is not lost.

Stopping the Stock Market's Squakbox

Ok, I'll admit it: the economy has slowed down. And yes, we are in a housing slump. There's no denying that. But to imply that economic Armageddon is on its way primed to take away the homes and profits of responsible borrowers is completely irresponsible of the mainstream media.

Exhibit A: February's cover of BusinessWeek screamed: "MELTDOWN: For Housing, the Worst is Yet to Come."

Ouch.

And BusinessWeek is not alone. The mainstream media has erroneously reported that credit standards have been pushed so high that homeowners can't qualify for refinancing and that the depressed mortgage-backed securities market will shut down all credit.

Even the big "d" word is now being tossed around! Making a grand leap from correction to depression is in my opinion, way over the top for mainstream media looking to grab the next sound bite and sensational headline.

Don't Believe the Hype!

I'll be the first to admit that meltdowns can happen when banks stop lending, credit dries up for consumers and businesses, and the Federal Reserve maintains an excessively tight monetary policy. But that is not what is happening.